Healthcare

Advance Planning and Compassionate Care Act of 2014

United States · United States Congress · 12 December 2014

Advance Planning and Compassionate Care Act of 2014 - Directs the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to establish and operate directly, or by grant, contract, or interagency agreement, a 24-hour toll free telephone hotline to provide consumer information regarding advance care planning, which is the process of determining an individual's wishes for care in the future when the individual is no longer able to express his or her wishes. Directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to develop an online clearinghouse to provide comprehensive information on advance care planning and pediatric advance care planning. Directs HHS to develop an online advance care planning toolkit for availability on specified websites. Requires the CDC, directly or through grants, contracts, or interagency agreements, to develop a national campaign to inform the public of the importance of advance care planning and of the right of individuals to direct their health care decisions. Directs HHS and the Social Security Administration to update the online versions of the "Plan Ahead for Long-Term Care" section of the Medicare & You Handbook and the Social Security Handbook to include information about advance care planning and advance directives and provide this information in subsequently published paper and online versions. Amends the Legal Services Corporation Act to authorize financial and legal assistance for advance care planning. Directs HHS to award grants to states for certain state health insurance assistance programs to provide advance care planning services to Medicare beneficiaries, their personal representatives, and their families. Authorizes Medicaid transformation grants for advance care planning and advance care planning community training grants. Directs HHS to make grants to establish new or expand existing state or local programs for orders regarding life sustaining treatment. Directs the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, to establish a website for providers under Medicare, Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), the Indian Health Service, and other public health providers on each individual's right to make decisions concerning medical care, including the right to refuse treatment, and the existence of advance directives, which are legal documents that indicate an individual's wishes regarding medical treatment in the event of future incompetence (e.g., living will). Requires the Health Resources and Services Administration to develop a curriculum for continuing education that states may adopt for physicians and nurses on advance care planning and end-of-life care. Amends titles XVIII (Medicare), XIX (Medicaid), and XXI (CHIP) of the Social Security Act with respect to inclusion of advance directives in patient medical records, discussion of advance directives with patients, the portability of advance directives, and actual knowledge of a patient's desires. Amends the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) to require the CDC to award competitive grants to establish and operate state advance directive registries to store and make available to medical providers advance directive documents. Requires the CDC to award grants to states to establish a mechanism to include notice of an advance directive on driver's licenses. Requires various specified studies and reports to Congress by the Government Accountability Office and HHS. Amends the PHSA to direct HHS to establish within the National Health Service Corps a National Geriatric and Palliative Care Services Corps to provide geriatric and palliative care services in health professional shortage areas. Exempts palliative medicine fellowship training from Medicare graduate medical education caps. Directs HHS to establish guidelines for the imposition by medical schools of a minimum amount of end-of-life training as a requirement for obtaining a Doctor of Medicine degree in the field of allopathic or osteopathic medicine. Authorizes coverage of advance care planning under Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP. Revises Medicare requirements for hospice payments and related matters. Allows Medicare to make payments for an individual's hospice care and treatments for their terminal illness if the individual is 18 years of age or younger. Makes hospice care a required Medicaid and CHIP benefit. Requires CMS, HHS, and the CDC to survey patient satisfaction with end-of-life care, hospice programs, and end-of-life care, respectively. Directs the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to designate an entity to develop requirements, standards, and procedures for accreditation of hospital-based palliative care programs. Amends the PHSA to establish, within the National Institutes of Health, a National Center on Palliative and End-of-Life Care. Directs HHS to establish a demonstration program for the use of telemedicine services in advance care planning.

Ensuring Enhanced Access to Primary Care Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2014

Ensuring Enhanced Access to Primary Care Act - Extends through calendar 2016 the requirement that state plans under title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act provide for payment of 100% of the payment rate for primary care services. Adds physicians with primary specialties in neurology, psychiatry, obstetrics and gynecology to the types of those eligible for reimbursement for providing such services.

A bill to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to use existing authorities to furnish health care at non-Department of Veterans Affairs facilities to veterans who live more than 40 miles driving distance from the closest medical facility of the Department that furnishes the care sought by the veteran.

United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2014

Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to use the Secretary's existing authority to furnish health care to veterans at non-VA facilities to provide health care at non-VA facilities to veterans who reside more than 40 miles driving distance from the closest VA medical facility providing the care they seek.

Dormant Therapies Act of 2014

United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2014

Dormant Therapies Act of 2014 - Requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to designate medicines being, or intended to be, investigated to address unmet medical needs as dormant therapies. Gives a dormant therapy a 15-year protection period during which no drug can be approved by relying on the approval of the dormant therapy absent a right of reference from the holder of the approved application for the dormant therapy. Requires the sponsor of a potential dormant therapy to have a clinical plan to investigate the medicine and intend to file an application for approval or licensure of the medicine as a new drug or biological product. Prohibits the active moiety of the medicine from being the same as an active moiety in a drug or highly similar to one in a biological product for which an application has been submitted. Requires the sponsor of a potential dormant therapy to list their patents that apply to the medicine and waive rights to those patents at the end of the dormant therapy protection period if the medicine is approved. Allows a sponsor to withdraw a dormant therapy designation request unless the medicine has been approved or licensed. Entitles the sponsor of a dormant therapy to extend patents that apply to the medicine to the end of the protection period. Prohibits a dormant therapy from receiving specified protections that apply to pediatric, infectious disease, or rare disease or condition medicines. Directs HHS to require a sponsor to certify that the clinical plan for a dormant therapy has been completed and that approval was based on investigations in the clinical plan.

Wounded Warriors Federal Leave Act of 2014

United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2014

Wounded Warriors Federal Leave Act of 2014 - Entitles any federal employee who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rated at 30% or more, during the 12-month period beginning on the first day of employment, to up to 104 hours of leave, without loss or reduction in pay, for purposes of undergoing medical treatment for such disability for which sick leave could regularly be used. Requires the forfeiture of any such leave that is not used during such 12-month period. Requires such employee to submit to the head of the employing agency certification that such employee used such leave for purposes of being furnished treatment for such disability by a health care provider.

Tim Fagan's Law

United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2014

Tim Fagan's Law or Counterfeit Drug Enforcement Act of 2014 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) to establish a criminal fine and/or imprisonment for a person who: (1) knowingly causes a prescription drug to be adulterated, misbranded, or misrepresented as an approved prescription drug and sells or trades the drug; or (2) purchases or trades for a drug knowing or having reason to know that the drug was knowingly adulterated, misbranded, or misrepresented. Requires a manufacturer of a drug to notify the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) within 48 hours after first receiving or becoming aware of information that reasonably suggests that such a violation may have occurred. Deems a drug to be misbranded if it is not manufactured using technologies that HHS determines are technically feasible and assist in preventing such violations. Authorizes additional appropriations for Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inspections, examinations, and investigations. Requires HHS to educate the public and health care professionals on counterfeit drugs. Directs HHS, upon a finding that a drug intended for human use may constitute a threat to the public health, to issue an order requiring the appropriate person (including the manufacturers, importers, distributors, or retailers of the drug) to cease distribution of the drug and to notify and instruct health professionals to cease administering, distributing, selling, or prescribing the drug. Requires HHS, after providing the person with an opportunity for an informal hearing, to amend the order to include a recall, if appropriate. Requires HHS and the Attorney General to establish a procedure through which the FDA is authorized to issue subpoenas.

Small Business Healthcare Relief Act of 2014

United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2014

Small Business Healthcare Relief Act of 2014 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to treat employer payments for employee health care premiums and for amounts paid on behalf of an employee to a health reimbursement arrangement as medical expenses under an accident or health plan and thus excludible from gross income for income tax purposes.

To allow the importation, distribution, and sale of investigational drugs and devices intended for use by terminally ill patients who execute an informed consent document.

United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2014

Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to declare that nothing in it or in the Public Health Service Act shall prevent or restrict, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) shall not implement or enforce any law to prevent or restrict, the importation, distribution, or sale of investigational drugs or devices for terminally ill patients.

Seniors Have Eyes, Ears, and Teeth Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2014

Seniors Have Eyes, Ears, and Teeth Act - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to repeal the exclusion from coverage (and so include) eyeglasses and eye exams for prescribing eye glasses, hearing aids and examinations therefor, and dental care.

PATH Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 December 2014

Promise for Antibiotics and Therapeutics for Health Act or the PATH Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a program to approve an antibacterial drug intended to treat a serious medical condition and address an unmet medical need within an identifiable limited population as a limited population antibacterial drug. Requires the sponsor of a drug eligible for approval as a limited population antibacterial drug to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of the drug for its intended use. Requires an HHS determination of the safety and effectiveness of a limited population antibacterial drug to reflect the drug's benefit-risk profile in the intended limited population. Prohibits a lack of evidence of a favorable benefit-risk profile in a broader population from resulting in a denial of approval. Directs HHS to require: (1) the labeling of a limited population antibacterial drug to indicate that the drug has been approved for use only in a limited population, and (2) submission of promotional materials related to the drug prior to dissemination. Directs HHS to describe considerations for demonstrating the safety and effectiveness of limited population antibacterial drugs and how the limited population pathway can be expanded to other therapeutic areas. Requires HHS to conduct postapproval monitoring programs to study how antibacterial drugs approved through the limited population pathway are used and to monitor changes in bacterial drug resistance. Allows HHS to remove the labeling, marketing, and postapproval monitoring requirements of a limited population antibacterial drug if the drug is approved for broader use. Allows the limited population pathway to be expanded to other drugs intended to treat serious illness beginning October 1, 2016.

Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2014

United States · United States Congress · 10 December 2014

Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2014 - Directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to convene a Pain Management Best Practices Interagency Task Force. Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to address drug abuse, including for educational efforts, communitywide strategies that address local drug crises, alternative to incarceration programs, disposal sites for unwanted prescription medications, educational programs for offenders, programs to address the use of opioids among pregnant and parenting female offenders, and veterans treatment court programs. Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment to award grants to state substance abuse agencies, units of local government, nonprofit organizations, and Indian tribes or tribal organizations that have a high rate, or have had a rapid increase, in the use of opioids. Directs the Attorney General to make grants for medication assisted treatment programs through criminal justice agencies, initiatives involving young people, and recovery services. Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to prohibit the Department of Education (ED) from including any question about the conviction of an applicant for the possession or sale of illegal drugs on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. Directs HHS to establish a bipartisan Task Force on Recovery and Collateral Consequences (collateral consequences are penalties imposed on an individual as a result of a criminal conviction but not as part of the court judgment, or optionally imposed by an administrative agency, official, or civil court). Requires grants under this Act to give priority to states that provide civil liability protection for individuals administering naloxone (a prescription drug used to rapidly reverse an opioid overdose) to counteract opioid overdoses.

Local Medicaid Enforcement Incentives Act of 2014

United States · United States Congress · 10 December 2014

Local Medicaid Enforcement Incentives Act of 2014 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a grant program to provide states with funds to: (1) detect and prevent Medicaid fraud, waste, and abuse; (2) recover overpayments to individuals or entities receiving Medicaid funds that result from such fraud, waste, or abuse; and (3) share with localities within the state that assist in such detection and prevention, or the recovery of such overpayments, at least 50% of the state's share of the total overpayments recovered during a period, minus administrative costs.

School Protection Act of 2014

United States · United States Congress · 10 December 2014

School Protection Act of 2014 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to make grants and enter contracts to train elementary and secondary school nurses to serve as first responders and crisis managers in the event of a biological or chemical attack at a school or an outbreak of pandemic influenza among individuals under their care. Requires this training to prepare school nurses to: (1) protect and preserve life; (2) notify public health authorities to help contain or mitigate the effects of an attack or outbreak; and (3) take other appropriate and feasible actions, such as preserve evidence of an attack.

Comprehensive TB Elimination Act of 2014

United States · United States Congress · 10 December 2014

Comprehensive TB Elimination Act of 2014 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require the Drug Shortages Strategic Plan to include plans to ensure coordination between the Drug Shortages Task Force and the Federal Tuberculosis Task Force. Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Department of Health and Human Services, when awarding grants for the prevention, control, and elimination of tuberculosis, to give priority to state health departments proposing to focus on high-risk populations, including foreign-born, homeless, and uninsured populations. Authorizes the Health Resources and Services Administration to award grants to state and local governments and federally qualified health centers to coordinate their programs and services to ensure timely and appropriate prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of tuberculosis. Requires the Federal Tuberculosis Task Force to advise federal officials on strategies and systems to prevent and mitigate shortages of tuberculosis drugs. Reauthorizes the national strategy for combating and eliminating tuberculosis through FY2019. Allows the National Institutes of Health to enhance research on pediatric tuberculosis and tuberculosis infection and progression.

No Healthcare Subsidies for Foreign Diplomats Act of 2014

United States · United States Congress · 10 December 2014

No Healthcare Subsidies for Foreign Diplomats Act of 2014 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to deny a tax credit for the cost of health insurance premiums and health insurance cost-sharing reductions under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to foreign diplomats. Requires the Secretary of State to notify all foreign missions in the United States, permanent missions to the United Nations, and the United Nations Secretariat that health insurance premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions are not available for their foreign personnel with nonimmigrant status under the Immigration and Nationality Act.

Supporting the designation of a week as National Federal Nurse Recognition Week.

United States · United States Congress · 10 December 2014

Expresses support for the designation of National Federal Nurse Recognition Week. Recognizes the dedication and vital role of federal nurses and the need to maintain an adequate number of well-trained federal nurses. Commends federal nurses as integral in supporting the government's mission to provide quality, accessible, and affordable health care.

YES to Cures Act of 2014

United States · United States Congress · 9 December 2014

YES to Cures Act of 2014 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to allocate for research by emerging scientists funds that otherwise would be used to evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of National Institutes of Health (NIH) programs. Requires NIH to explain why there has been an increase in the average age of grant recipients over the past 30 years and describe the steps taken to address this trend.

Funding Scientists at the Peak Age of Discovery Act of 2014

United States · United States Congress · 9 December 2014

Funding Scientists at the Peak Age of Discovery Act of 2014 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to ensure that the median age of first-time researchers receiving R series (research) grants is under 40 years of age by January 1, 2019, under 39 years of age by January 1, 2022, and under 38 years of age by January 1, 2025. Excludes grants for small business innovation research, small business technology transfer, or clinical trial planning.

Generic Drug Pricing Fairness Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 December 2014

Generic Drug Pricing Fairness Act - Amends part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require each contract entered into with a prescription drug plan (PDP) sponsor with respect to a PDP the sponsor offers to prohibit the PDP from entering into a contract with any pharmacy benefits manager (PBM) to manage the prescription drug coverage provided under such plan, or to control the costs of the prescription drug coverage under it, unless the PBM adheres to specified criteria when handling personally identifiable utilization and claims data or other sensitive patient data. Revises requirements for contracts with PDP sponsors to require that the PDP sponsor disclose to applicable pharmacies the sources used for making any update of the prescription drug pricing standard, and if the source for such a standard is not publicly available, disclose to such pharmacies all individual drug prices to be so updated in advance of their use for the reimbursement of claims. Requires the PDP sponsor, as well, to establish a process to appeal, investigate, and resolve disputes regarding individual drug prices that are less than the pharmacy acquisition price for a drug. Directs the Secretary of Defense (DOD), with respect to the TRICARE retail pharmacy program, to ensure that a contract entered into with a TRICARE managed care support contractor includes requirements to ensure the provision of information regarding the pricing standard for prescription drugs. Establishes criteria to which a carrier and a PBM must adhere under a contract or an approved plan under which the carrier has an agreement with the PBM to manage prescription drug coverage or to control the costs of such coverage. Prohibits a PBM under such criteria from: (1) transmitting to a pharmacy owned by the PBM any personally identifiable utilization or claims data relating to an enrolled individual who has not voluntarily elected in writing or via secure electronic means to fill that particular prescription at such a pharmacy; or (2) requiring any enrolled individual to use a retail pharmacy, mail order pharmacy, specialty pharmacy, or other pharmacy entity in which the PBM has an ownership interest, or that has an ownership interest in the PBM, or give an incentive to encourage an enrollee to use the pharmacy if the incentive applies only to those pharmacies. Requires any contract or approved plan providing for a reimbursement standard with respect to a PDP to require the carrier to: (1) update the standard at least once every seven days to reflect the market price of a drug accurately; (2) disclose to pharmacies the sources used for making any such update; (3) make advance disclosure to those pharmacies of all individual drug prices to be updated if the source for a standard is not publicly available; and (4) establish a process to appeal, investigate, and resolve disputes regarding individual drug prices less than the pharmacy acquisition price.

Incentivizing Healthcare Quality Outcomes Act of 2014

United States · United States Congress · 9 December 2014

Incentivizing Healthcare Quality Outcomes Act of 2014 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act. in order to incentivize healthcare quality outcomes, to prescribe specific adjustment factors for incentive payments to: (1) healthcare delivery organizations, and (2) healthcare professionals (who are not part of an applicable healthcare delivery organization) in a geographic region to coordinate care and reduce potentially preventable outcomes. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish geographic regions to which health professionals shall be assigned. Requires the Secretary to select a methodology of identifying potentially preventable: (1) inpatient hospital complications, (2) admissions and readmissions, (3) emergency room visits, (4) outpatient procedures and tests, as well as (5) outcomes. Requires selection of a methodology also for risk adjusting the rate of each potentially preventable outcome. Directs the Secretary to: (1) give confidential reports to healthcare delivery organizations with respect to potentially preventable outcomes, (2) make information available to the public regarding potentially preventable outcomes of each applicable healthcare delivery organization, (3) apply to state plans (or waivers) under SSA title XIX (Medicaid) regulations that will relate to payment adjustments for potentially preventable outcomes, and (4) award quality improvement grants to eligible healthcare delivery organizations with an organization-specific adjustment factor lower than the factor for 75% of all other such organizations. Directs the Comptroller General (GAO) to study the impact of this Act on Medicare beneficiaries' care, Medicare expenditures, and Medicare providers.

Medicare DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Improvement Act of 2014

United States · United States Congress · 8 December 2014

Medicare DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Improvement Act of 2014 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to the Medicare durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) competitive acquisition program. Prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) from accepting a bid from an entity for an area unless it: (1) meets state licensure requirements for the area for all items in the submitted bid for a product category, and (2) has obtained a bid surety bond of between $50,000 and $100,000 for each such area. Prescribes requirements for the treatment of losing bidders and successful bidders that do not accept a contract.

Protecting Access to Diabetes Supplies of 2014

United States · United States Congress · 8 December 2014

Protecting Access to Diabetes Supplies Act of 2014 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to revise the special competitive acquisition program rule applied to diabetic testing strips to require the volume for such types of products to be determined through the use of multiple sources of data that measure consumption and utilization of such strips among individuals in the United States. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to reject any bid submitted by an entity under the competitive acquisition program that does not demonstrate that it can furnish the types of strips included in its bid. Requires an entity to furnish to an individual the brand of strips compatible with the individual's home blood glucose monitor. Prohibits an entity from attempting to influence or incentivize an individual to switch the brand of glucose monitor or testing strips selected. Prohibits an entity from communicating directly to such an individual until it has given the individual verbally standardized information about the individual's rights with respect to the entity. Directs the Secretary to establish a process under which an individual furnished with diabetic testing strips under a competitive acquisition program may reject them by notifying the supplier and the Secretary. Permits the individual to obtain different strips from another supplier and have a new claim processed.

Andrea Sloan CURE Act

United States · United States Congress · 8 December 2014

Andrea Sloan Compassionate Use Reform and Enhancement Act or the Andrea Sloan CURE Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require the sponsor of a “breakthrough drug” (which is a drug that qualifies for expedited approval, is an infectious disease product, or qualifies the sponsor for a priority review voucher) to submit to the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) and make available to the public a policy on requests for access to the drug for compassionate use, including the minimum criteria for consideration or approval of requests and the time needed to make a decision. Requires a breakthrough drug sponsor to explain a denied request for compassionate use to the person who made the request. Directs HHS to establish an Expanded Access Task Force. Requires the Task Force and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to evaluate patient access to investigational drugs and make recommendations for improving access. Directs HHS to finalize the draft guidance entitled “Expanded Access to Investigational Drugs for Treatment Use--Qs & As,” taking into account reports from the Task Force and GAO.

Ensuring Equal Access to Treatments Act of 2014

United States · United States Congress · 4 December 2014

Ensuring Equal Access to Treatments Act of 2014 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, with respect to the prospective payment system for hospital outpatient department (OPD) services, to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to create certain additional groups of covered OPD services that classify separately, from those that do not utilize such a drug, procedures that utilize a drug (other than contrast agents and diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals) that both has a cost above the drug packaging threshold and functions as a supply when used in a diagnostic test or procedure.

MEDTECH Act

United States · United States Congress · 4 December 2014

Medical Electronic Data Technology Enhancement for Consumers’ Health Act or the MEDTECH Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to exclude from regulation as a medical device: administrative, operational, or financial records software used in health care settings; products intended for health maintenance outside of medical treatment; electronic patient records, excluding diagnostic image data, provided that related software is validated prior to marketing, consistent with the standards for devices; software for clinical laboratory test reports; and software that provides medical recommendations and the basis for those recommendations to health care professionals, with exceptions for products related to regulated devices.

Medicare DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Improvement Act of 2014

United States · United States Congress · 4 December 2014

Medicare DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Improvement Act of 2014 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to the Medicare durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) competitive acquisition program. Prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) from accepting a bid from an entity for an area unless it: (1) meets state licensure requirements for the area for all items in the submitted bid for a product category, and (2) has obtained a bid surety bond of between $50,000 and $100,000 for each such area. Prescribes requirements for the treatment of losing bidders and successful bidders that do not accept a contract.

Public Health Emergency Preparedness Act

United States · United States Congress · 4 December 2014

Public Health Emergency Preparedness Act - Makes a $5 billion supplemental appropriation to the Department of Health and Human Service (HHS) Public Health Emergency Fund. Designates the funding as an emergency requirement exempt from budget enforcement limits. Makes the funding available, however, only if the President subsequently designates the amount as an emergency requirement. Permits the activities funded under this Act to include acquisition of products such as drugs, vaccines and other biological products, and medical devices for deposit into the Strategic National Stockpile. Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) to add the Public Health Emergency Fund to the list of programs and activities exempt from a sequestration. (A sequestration is a process of automatic, usually across-the-board spending reductions under which budgetary resources are permanently cancelled to enforce specific budget policy goals.)

Health Prizes Rewarding Innovation, Savings, and Effectiveness Act of 2014

United States · United States Congress · 3 December 2014

Health Prizes Rewarding Innovation, Savings, and Effectiveness Act of 2014 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to design prize competitions open to competitors worldwide to realize innovations that improve health outcomes thereby reducing federal expenditures on health programs. Requires the NIH to identify as the subject of the competitions diseases or health conditions for which the federal government spends at least $5 billion per year on prevention and treatment, and the research investment is disproportionately small in comparison to other diseases with similar or greater federal expenditures on treatment and prevention. Directs the NIH to award contracts to perform a simulation of the designed prize competitions to assess the effectiveness of the design. Requires the NIH to contract with private entities to implement the competitions. Allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to provide competitors with guidance and access to testing facilities. Prohibits the federal government from gaining an interest in intellectual property development by a participant without the participant's written consent. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude prizes from gross income.

Protecting the Integrity of Medicare Act of 2014

United States · United States Congress · 2 December 2014

Protecting the Integrity of Medicare Act of 2014 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish cost-effective procedures to ensure that: (1) a Social Security account number (or any derivative) is not displayed, coded, or embedded on the Medicare card issued to an individual entitled to benefits under part A (Hospital Insurance) of SSA title XVIII (Medicare) or enrolled under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance); and (2) any other identifier displayed on such card is not identifiable as a Social Security account number (or any derivative). Directs the Secretary to establish procedures to ensure that Medicare payment is not made for items and services furnished to an individual incarcerated, deceased, or otherwise ineligible and not lawfully present in the United States. Directs the Secretary, if cost-effective and technologically viable, to consider appropriate measures to implement use of electronic Medicare beneficiary and provider cards. Extends the Medicare durable medical equipment (DME) face-to-face encounter documentation requirement to include physician assistants, practitioners, or specialists as well as physicians (as under current law). Requires each Medicare administrative contractor to establish an improper payment outreach and education program for service providers and suppliers in order to reduce improper Medicare payments. Requires the Secretary to develop a plan to revise the incentive program under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 to encourage greater participation by individuals to report fraud and abuse in the Medicare program. Directs the Secretary to require a claim for a covered Medicare part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) drug for an individual enrolled in a prescription drug plan (PDP) or in a Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MA-PD) plan to include a valid prescriber National Provider Identifier. Gives Medicare beneficiaries the option to receive the Medicare Summary Notice (explanation of benefits) electronically. Directs the Secretary to: (1) apply competitive procedures to selection of a Medicare administrative contractor at least once every 10 years (currently once every 5 years); and (3) study and, as appropriate, specify incentives for states to work with the Secretary under the Medicare-Medicaid Data Match Program to protect the federal and state share of expenditures. Authorizes a PDP sponsor to establish a drug management program for at-risk beneficiaries. Directs the Secretary to authorize Medicare drug integrity contractors (MEDICs) to accept directly an individual's prescription and necessary medical records from pharmacies, prescription drug plans, and physicians in order for MEDICs to provide information relevant to determining whether the individual is an at-risk beneficiary. Directs the Secretary to issue a clarification or modification with respect to the application of the Common Rule (governing the protection of human subjects in research) to activities involving clinical data registries. Amends SSA title XI to eliminate civil monetary penalties for inducements to physicians to limit services that are not medically necessary. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress on options for amending existing Medicare fraud and abuse laws and regulations to permit gainsharing or similar arrangements between physicians and hospitals that would otherwise be subject to penalties. Modifies the Medicare home health surety bond condition of participation requirement. Directs the Secretary to: (1) implement a process for medical review of spinal subluxation services by a chiropractor, and (2) develop educational and training programs to improve the ability of chiropractors to document services in a manner that demonstrates they are reasonable and necessary. Applies Medicare competitive bidding to vacuum erection systems, and requires the Secretary to phase-in a national mail order program for such devices. Requires the Secretary to: (1) revise the testing in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina of a model of prior authorization for repetitive scheduled non-emergent ambulance transport to cover specified additional states; and (2) apply the prior authorization program to all states. Directs the Secretary to submit a plan to Congress for including in the annual report of the Comprehensive Error Rate Testing (CERT) programs data on services (other than medical visits) paid under the physician fee schedule where the fee schedule amount exceeds $250 and where the error rate exceeds 20%.

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the healthcare, energy, telecommunications, and other sectors of the United States economy should continue their sector-specific efforts to protect critical infrastructure, to prevent information security breaches, and to prevent cybersecurity breaches.

United States · United States Congress · 2 December 2014

Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the health care, energy, telecommunications, and other industry sectors should continue their sector-specific efforts to protect critical infrastructure and prevent information security and cybersecurity breaches (other than for research and development purposes).

Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014

United States · United States Congress · 1 December 2014

Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014 - Title I: Certain Expiring Provisions - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend certain expiring tax provisions relating to individuals, businesses, and the energy sector. Subtitle A: Individual Tax Extenders - Extends through 2014: the tax deduction of expenses of elementary and secondary school teachers; the tax exclusion of imputed income from the discharge of indebtedness for a principal residence; the equalization of the tax exclusion for employer-provided commuter transit and parking benefits; the tax deduction of mortgage insurance premiums; the tax deduction of state and local general sales taxes in lieu of state and local income taxes; the tax deduction of contributions of real property interests for conservation purposes; the tax deduction of qualified tuition and related expenses; and the tax exemption of distributions from individual retirement accounts for charitable purposes. Subtitle B: Business Tax Extenders - Extends through 2014: the tax credit for increasing research activities; the low-income housing tax credit rate for newly constructed non-federally subsidized buildings; the Indian employment tax credit; the new markets tax credit; the tax credit for qualified railroad track maintenance expenditures; the tax credit for mine rescue team training expenses; the tax credit for differential wage payments to employees who are active duty members of the Uniformed Services; the work opportunity tax credit; authority for issuance of qualified zone academy bonds; the classification of race horses as three-year property for depreciation purposes; accelerated depreciation of qualified leasehold improvement, restaurant, and retail improvement property, of motorsports entertainment complexes, and of business property on Indian reservations; accelerated depreciation of certain business property (bonus depreciation); the special rule allowing a tax deduction for charitable contributions of food inventory by taxpayers other than C corporations; the increased expensing allowance for business assets, computer software, and qualified real property (i.e., leasehold improvement, restaurant, and retail improvement property); the election to expense advanced mine safety equipment expenditures; the expensing allowance for film and television production costs and costs of live theatrical productions; the tax deduction for income attributable to domestic production activities in Puerto Rico; tax rules relating to payments between related foreign corporations and dividends of regulated investment companies; the treatment of regulated investment companies as qualified investment entities for purposes of the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act (FIRPTA); the subpart F income exemption for income derived in the active conduct of a banking, financing, or insurance business; the tax rule exempting dividends, interest, rents, and royalties received or accrued from certain controlled foreign corporations by a related entity from treatment as foreign holding company income; the 100% exclusion from gross income of gain from the sale of small business stock; the basis adjustment rule for stock of an S corporation making charitable contributions of property; the reduction of the recognition period for the built-in gains of S corporations; tax incentives for investment in empowerment zones; the increased level of distilled spirit excise tax payments into the treasuries of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands; and the tax credit for American Samoa economic development expenditures. Amends the Housing Assistance Tax Act of 2008 to extend through 2014 the exemption of the basic military housing allowance from the income test for programs financed by tax-exempt housing bonds. Subtitle C: Energy Tax Extenders - Extends through 2014: the tax credit for residential energy efficiency improvements; the tax credit for second generation biofuel production; the income and excise tax credits for biodiesel and renewable diesel fuel mixtures; the tax credit for producing electricity using Indian coal facilities placed in service before 2009; the tax credit for producing electricity using wind, biomass, geothermal, landfill gas, trash, hydropower, and marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy facilities; the tax credit for energy efficient new homes; the special depreciation allowance for second generation biofuel plant property; the tax deduction for energy efficient commercial buildings; tax deferral rules for sales or dispositions of qualified electric utilities; and the excise tax credit for alternative fuels and fuels involving liquefied hydrogen. Subtitle D: Extenders Relating to Multiemployer Defined Benefit Pension Plans - Extends through 2015 the automatic extensions of amortization periods for multiemployer defined benefit pension plans and for multiemployer funding rules under the Pension Protection Act of 2006. Title II: Technical Corrections - Tax Technical Corrections Act of 2014 - Makes technical and clerical amendments to: the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012; the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012; the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012; the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010; the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010; the Creating Small Business Jobs Act of 2010; the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act; the American Recovery and Reinvestment Tax Act of 2009; the Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008; the Tax Extenders and Alternative Minimum Tax Relief Act of 2008; the Housing Assistance Tax Act of 2008; the Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax Act of 2008; the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008; the Tax Technical Corrections Act of 2007; the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006; the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act of 2005: A Legacy for Users; the Energy Tax Incentives Act of 2005; and the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004. Eliminates provisions in the Internal Revenue Code that are not used in computing current tax liabilities (referred to as deadwood provisions). Title III: Joint Committee on Taxation - Provides that any refund or credit in excess of $5 million due to a C corporation taxpayer may not be made until the Secretary of the Treasury submits a report to the Joint Committee on Taxation providing information on such refund or credit. Title IV: Budgetary Effects - Prohibits the entry of the budgetary effects of this Act on certain PAYGO scorecards.

Critical Care Assessment and Improvement Act of 2014

United States · United States Congress · 20 November 2014

Critical Care Assessment and Improvement Act of 2014 - Requires studies on critical care health services by the Institute of Medicine and the Health Resources and Services Administration of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).  Directs HHS to establish the Critical Care Coordinating Working Group within the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to: (1) advance research and research training in the critical care setting across NIH and HHS; (2) coordinate funding opportunities that involve multiple components of HHS; (3) catalyze the development of new funding opportunities; (4) inform investigators about funding opportunities; (5) represent NIH in government-wide efforts to improve the critical care system; (6) coordinate the collection and analysis of information on NIH research relating to critical care and identify gaps in this research; (7) report annually to the Director of NIH on NIH research efforts relating to critical care; and (8) make recommendations on how to strengthen partnerships within NIH and HHS and public and private entities to expand collaborative, cross-cutting research. Requires HHS to carry out a demonstration project to improve the quality and efficiency of critical care in acute care hospitals.

Trade Adjustment Assistance Act of 2014

United States · United States Congress · 20 November 2014

Trade Adjustment Assistance Act of 2014 - Amends the Trade Adjustment Assistance Extension Act of 2011 to repeal the declaration that trade adjustment assistance (TAA) program requirements in effect as of February 13, 2011, under the Trade Act of 1974 shall apply to petitions for certification to apply for TAA for workers, firms, and farmers that are filed before January 1, 2014. Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to extend through December 31, 2020: (1) the TAA program, and (2) the reemployment trade adjustment assistance (RTAA) program. Makes funds available through FY2020, and for the period beginning October 1-December 31, 2020 (first quarter of FY2021), for training of adversely affected workers, employment and case management services, and job search expenses and relocation expenses. Reauthorizes appropriations: (1) through December 31, 2020, for the TAA program for workers; and (2) through FY2020, and for the first quarter of FY2021, for the TAA program for firms, communities, and farmers. Prescribes TAA eligibility requirements for adversely affected workers in public agencies. Revises trade readjustment allowance (TRA) program requirements. Limits to 130 weeks the length of TRA payments for an adversely affected worker who requires a program of remedial education or of prerequisite education in order to complete approved training. Increases from 65 to 78 additional weeks of TRA payments in a 78-week period the length of additional time permissible to complete training. Repeals the authority of a state to use funds for employment and case management services and relocation allowances to allow an adversely affected worker who is certified to file an application for a job search allowance and relocation allowance. (Continues to authorize adversely affected workers to apply for the job search allowance as well as the relocation allowance.) Revises the reemployment trade adjustment assistance (RTAA) program. Increases from: (1) $50,000 to $55,000 the maximum amount an RTAA-eligible worker may earn in wages from reemployment, and (2) $10,000 to $12,000 the maximum payment of RTAA (or wage subsidy) to an eligible older worker. Specifies criteria the Secretary must use to determine the eligibility of workers to apply for TAA if no determination has been made, upon enactment of this Act, as to whether to certify a group of workers or firms as eligible pursuant to a petition filed between January 1, 2014, and enactment of this Act. Requires the Secretary to reconsider any determination made before enactment of this Act not to certify such workers or firms, and to certify them as eligible if they meet the specified requirements. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through calendar 2021, and increase from 72.5% to 80%, the tax credit for the health insurance coverage costs of Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) pension and TAA recipients and their dependents. Amends the Internal Revenue Code, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), and the Public Health Service Act to extend through December 31, 2020, the TAA pre-certification period rule disregarding, for a specified period, any 63-day lapse in creditable health care coverage for TAA workers. Extends also through December 31, 2020, the continued eligibility of certain qualified TAA-eligible individuals and PBGC pension recipients for COBRA premium assistance.

Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act of 2014

United States · United States Congress · 20 November 2014

Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act of 2014 - Amends the Black Lung Benefits Act to revise requirements with regard to miners' claims for pneumoconiosis (black lung) benefits. Requires a mine operator to deliver within 21 days a complete copy of the examining physician's report to any miner required to submit to a medical examination regarding his or her respiratory or pulmonary condition. Directs the Secretary of Labor to establish an attorneys' fee payment program to pay attorneys' fees of up to $4,500 to the attorneys of prevailing parties on a qualifying black lung benefit claim. Establishes an irrebuttable presumption that a miner is totally disabled due to black lung disease, that the miner's death was due to black lung, or that at the time of death the miner was totally disabled by black lung disease if a chest radiograph, biopsy, autopsy, or other medically accepted test or procedure has diagnosed such miner with complicated black lung or progressive massive fibrosis. Allows a party to rebut this presumption only in cases where: the miner was employed for 15 years or more in one or more coal mines (including surface mines), there is a negative chest radiograph, other evidence demonstrates the existence of a totally disabling respiratory or pulmonary impairment, but no part of the miner's respiratory or pulmonary impairment was caused by black lung disease. Revises requirements for the payment of benefits to miners (including their dependents) totally disabled by black lung disease. Authorizes black lung clinics to use a portion of their federal funding to assist miners, surviving spouses, dependents, and other family members in the filing of black lung benefit claims. Prohibits any claimant, physician, operator, duly authorized agent of such operator, or employee of an insurance carrier, subject to certain civil and criminal penalties, from: knowingly and willfully making a false statement or misrepresentation in obtaining or denying benefits, or threatening or knowingly misleading anyone participating in a proceeding regarding such benefits. Requires the Secretary, upon request, to give a claimant the opportunity to substantiate a claim for benefits through a complete pulmonary evaluation of the miner that includes an initial qualified physician's report and, if certain conditions are met, any supplemental medical evidence developed after the report. Requires the Director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to establish in NIOSH a pilot program to establish B Reader Panels to assure accurate International Labor Organization classifications for chest radiographs in black lung disease cases where there is a factual dispute regarding a diagnosis of complicated black lung or progressive massive fibrosis. Directs the Secretary, in coordination with NIOSH, to establish a program to educate district directors, claims examiners, administrative law judges and supporting attorney advisors, and Benefits Review Board members about medical evidence relevant to black lung benefit claims. Revises black lung eligibility requirements to replace the terms "wife" and "widow" with "spouse" and "surviving spouse." Allows a covered miner or survivor to file a claim for black lung benefits within one year after enactment of this Act if the claim was been denied before enactment of this Act. Requires adjudication of the claim on its merits and excludes consideration of any negative chest radiograph for simple black lung disease, complicated black lung disease, or progressive massive fibrosis. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress a strategy to reduce the backlog of black lung cases pending before the Office of Administrative Law Judges of the Department of Labor. Directs the Government Accountability Office to report to Congress on any barriers to health care faced by coal miners with black lung disease. Amends the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 to direct the Secretary to conduct a retrospective study evaluating data collected using continuous dust monitors to determine whether to lower the applicable standard for respirable dust concentration for miners, among other possible actions. Establishes in the Department of Labor an Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) (codifying the existing establishment of OWCP in the Department of Labor.)

Medicaid Generic Drug Price Fairness Act

United States · United States Congress · 20 November 2014

Medicaid Generic Drug Price Fairness Act - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to extend to manufacturers of generic drugs the requirement that drug manufacturers in certain circumstances pay an additional rebate to state Medicaid programs.

A resolution designating December 3, 2014, as "National Phenylketonuria Awareness Day".

United States · United States Congress · 20 November 2014

Designates December 3, 2014, as National Phenylketonuria Awareness Day. (Phenylketonuria or PKU is a rare, inherited metabolic disorder that can cause intellectual disability and other neurological problems.)

A resolution recognizing that access to hospitals and other health care providers for patients in rural areas of the United States is essential to the survival and success of communities in the United States.

United States · United States Congress · 20 November 2014

Recognizes that: (1) access to hospitals and other health care providers for patients in rural areas of the United States is essential to the survival and success of U.S. communities, (2) preserving and strengthening access to quality health care in rural areas is crucial to the success and prosperity of the United States, (3) strengthening access to hospitals and other health care providers for patients in rural areas makes Medicare more cost-effective and improves health outcomes for patients, and (4) rural health care providers are integral to the local economies and are one of the largest types of employers in rural areas. Celebrates the many dedicated medical professionals across the United States who work hard each day to deliver quality care to people living in rural areas.

Orphan Product Extensions Now Accelerating Cures and Treatments Act of 2014

United States · United States Congress · 20 November 2014

Orphan Product Extensions Now Accelerating Cures and Treatments Act of 2014 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to extend by six months the exclusivity period for a drug or biological product approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) when the product is additionally approved to prevent, diagnose, or treat a new indication that is a rare disease or condition (also known as an “orphan disease”). Allows the Secretary to revoke an extension if the application submitted to the FDA for the new indication contained an untrue material statement. Requires the sponsor of a product receiving an extension to notify HHS one year prior to discontinuing production for commercial reasons. Requires the Secretary to notify the public of products that receive this extension. Limits a product to one extension under this Act. Sets forth that extensions under this Act are in addition to other extensions. Applies only to products approved after enactment of this Act for a new indication that is a rare disease or condition.

Veterans Equal Access Act of 2014

United States · United States Congress · 20 November 2014

Veterans Equal Access Act of 2014 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to authorize VA health care providers to: (1) provide veterans with recommendations and opinions regarding participation in their state's marijuana programs, and (2) complete forms reflecting such recommendations and opinions.

Medicaid Generic Drug Price Fairness Act of 2014

United States · United States Congress · 20 November 2014

Medicaid Generic Drug Price Fairness Act of 2014 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to extend to manufacturers of generic drugs the requirement that drug manufacturers in certain circumstances pay an additional rebate to state Medicaid programs.

Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act of 2014

United States · United States Congress · 20 November 2014

Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act of 2014 - Amends the Black Lung Benefits Act to revise requirements with regard to miners' claims for pneumoconiosis (black lung) benefits. Requires a mine operator to deliver within 21 days a complete copy of the examining physician's report to any miner required to submit to a medical examination regarding his or her respiratory or pulmonary condition. Directs the Secretary of Labor to establish an attorneys' fee payment program to pay attorneys' fees of up to $4,500 to the attorneys of prevailing parties on a qualifying black lung benefit claim. Establishes an irrebuttable presumption that a miner is totally disabled due to black lung disease, that the miner's death was due to black lung, or that at the time of death the miner was totally disabled by black lung disease if a chest radiograph, biopsy, autopsy, or other medically accepted test or procedure has diagnosed such miner with complicated black lung or progressive massive fibrosis. Allows a party to rebut this presumption only in cases where: the miner was employed for 15 years or more in one or more coal mines (including surface mines), there is a negative chest radiograph, other evidence demonstrates the existence of a totally disabling respiratory or pulmonary impairment, but no part of the miner's respiratory or pulmonary impairment was caused by black lung disease. Revises requirements for the payment of benefits to miners (including their dependents) totally disabled by black lung disease. Authorizes black lung clinics to use a portion of their federal funding to assist miners, surviving spouses, dependents, and other family members in the filing of black lung benefit claims. Prohibits any claimant, physician, operator, duly authorized agent of such operator, or employee of an insurance carrier, subject to certain civil and criminal penalties, from: knowingly and willfully making a false statement or misrepresentation in obtaining or denying benefits, or threatening or knowingly misleading anyone participating in a proceeding regarding such benefits. Requires the Secretary, upon request, to give a claimant the opportunity to substantiate a claim for benefits through a complete pulmonary evaluation of the miner that includes an initial qualified physician's report and, if certain conditions are met, any supplemental medical evidence developed after the report. Requires the Director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to establish in NIOSH a pilot program to establish B Reader Panels to assure accurate International Labor Organization classifications for chest radiographs in black lung disease cases where there is a factual dispute regarding a diagnosis of complicated black lung or progressive massive fibrosis. Directs the Secretary, in coordination with NIOSH, to establish a program to educate district directors, claims examiners, administrative law judges and supporting attorney advisors, and Benefits Review Board members about medical evidence relevant to black lung benefit claims. Revises black lung eligibility requirements to replace the terms "wife" and "widow" with "spouse" and "surviving spouse." Allows a covered miner or survivor to file a claim for black lung benefits within one year after enactment of this Act if the claim was been denied before enactment of this Act. Requires adjudication of the claim on its merits and excludes consideration of any negative chest radiograph for simple black lung disease, complicated black lung disease, or progressive massive fibrosis. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress a strategy to reduce the backlog of black lung cases pending before the Office of Administrative Law Judges of the Department of Labor. Directs the Government Accountability Office to report to Congress on any barriers to health care faced by coal miners with black lung disease. Amends the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 to direct the Secretary to conduct a retrospective study evaluating data collected using continuous dust monitors to determine whether to lower the applicable standard for respirable dust concentration for miners, among other possible actions. Establishes in the Department of Labor an Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) (codifying the existing establishment of OWCP in the Department of Labor.)

PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE TO PUBLIC HEALTH THREATS: HOW READY ARE WE?

United States · United States Senate · 19 November 2014

THE ROLE OF THE WHITE HOUSE CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER IN THE HEALTHCARE.GOV WEBSITE DEBACLE

United States · United States House of Representatives · 19 November 2014

Infectious Disease Hospital Hubs Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 November 2014

Infectious Disease Hospital Hubs Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to allow the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), in an emergency or significant potential emergency which involves a specific infectious disease that requires the isolation and specialized treatment of patients, to award grants to states to improve surge capacity at hospitals designated by the state and enhance community and hospital preparedness. Allows HHS to award additional grants to compensate designated hospitals for unreimbursed costs for treating infectious disease patients or for damages for lost business activity or lost services attributable to the treatment of those patients.

Expressing support for designation of October 2, 2014, as World MRSA Day.

United States · United States Congress · 19 November 2014

Expresses support for the designation of World MRSA Day and International MRSA Testing Week. (MRSA is an acronym for methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, which causes deadly infections in patients in health care facilities and within communities.)

UPDATE ON THE U.S. PUBLIC HEALTH RESPONSE TO THE EBOLA OUTBREAK

United States · United States House of Representatives · 18 November 2014

Stop Schemes and Crimes Against Medicare and Seniors (Stop SCAMS) Act

United States · United States Congress · 18 November 2014

Stop Schemes and Crimes Against Medicare and Seniors (Stop SCAMS) Act - Amends title XI of the Social Security Act with respect to standards for financial and administrative transactions and their data elements to enable the electronic exchange of health information. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to adopt standards that: (1) ensure that any entity producing and transmitting valid transactions that include code sets for appropriate data elements is subject to a consistent, industry-wide framework that supports a seamless transition to new and modified code sets; and (2) establish an end-to-end testing procedure for new and modified code sets that shall require the participation of any entity producing and transmitting valid transactions that use the new or modified code set. Prohibits the Secretary from adopting a new or modified code set unless the Secretary: (1) assesses its impact on fraud prevention and pre-payment review, determines that anti-fraud edits work as intended, and confirms that a plan is in place to ensure continuing effective detection of fraud following the adoption of the code set; (2) ensures that the end-to-end testing procedure established has been completed; and (3) completes end-to-end testing with any federal government entity that produces and transmits valid transactions that include the code set with private sector tracking partners. Exempts routine, regularly scheduled updates to existing code sets from such prohibition. Directs the Secretary, with respect to information supplied to it by a disclosing entity about those with an ownership or control interest in the entity, to verify such information in a specified manner and confirm the accuracy of any Social Security account number or employer identification number. Holds immune from civil liability (in a safe harbor) any non-governmental entity participating in a Healthcare Fraud Prevention Partnership, including private insurers, for sharing information about potentially fraudulent providers with each other, HHS, the Department of Justice (DOJ), any other federal or state law enforcement agency, any federal or state agency contractor, and another Partnership participant. Directs the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MEDPAC) to study administrative efforts to strengthen program integrity in the Medicare program. Amends the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010, with respect to the use of predictive modeling and other analytics technologies to identify and prevent waste, fraud, and abuse in the Medicare fee-for-service program, to require predictive analytics technologies to capture outcome information on civil recoveries, administrative actions, and criminal convictions for fraud.

Adding Ebola to the FDA Priority Review Voucher Program Act

United States · United States Congress · 18 November 2014

Adding Ebola to the FDA Priority Review Voucher Program Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to add filoviruses, a family of viruses that includes the Ebola virus, to the list of tropical diseases under the priority review voucher program, which awards vouchers to sponsors of human drug applications that are approved to prevent or treat tropical diseases. (A voucher entitles the holder to have a future human drug application acted upon by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) within six months.) Changes the process by which infectious diseases that do not significantly impact developed nations and disproportionately affect poor and marginalized populations can be designated as tropical diseases from rulemaking to order of the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). Allows priority review vouchers to be transferred between sponsors of human drug applications any number of times. Reduces from 365 days to 90 days the advance notice required before submitting a human drug application subject to a priority review voucher.

STOP Act

United States · United States Congress · 17 November 2014

Sober Truth on Preventing Underage Drinking Reauthorization Act or STOP Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize the program to reduce underage drinking for FY2015-FY2018. Revises reporting requirements for state programs on underage drinking. Specifies additional requirements for the development of the national media campaign to prevent underage drinking. Directs the Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to make grants to professional pediatric provider organizations to increase effective practices, including the screening of children and adolescents for alcohol use, to reduce the prevalence of alcohol use among individuals under the age of 21, including college students. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to collect data and conduct or support new research on underage drinking that improves and conducts public health surveillance of alcohol use and alcohol-related conditions in states among individuals between age 18 and 20 by increasing the use of surveys, such as the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, to monitor binge and excessive drinking and related harms. Amends the Federal Alcohol Administration Act to prohibit the manufacture, sale, distribution, or possession of powdered alcohol.

A bill to prohibit trespassing on critical infrastructure used in or affecting interstate commerce to commit a criminal offense.

United States · United States Congress · 17 November 2014

Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit knowingly going upon any critical infrastructure used in or affecting interstate commerce to commit a criminal offense. Defines "critical infrastructure" as a vital physical system or asset, including a national monument, the incapacity or destruction of which would have a debilitating impact on security, national economic security, or national public health or safety.